North
Country
Live

Home of the
Frostbite Rocknite
December 20, 2025
North Country Comedy Festival
Successfully held October 23-25, 2025
and the
North Country Film Festival
2026 dates T.B.A.

North Country Live

North Country Live (“NCL”) is the organizer and curator of live community events based in Sackets Harbor, New York. Spearheaded by its Executive Director, Mike Ricca, in association with the Domani Vision Film Society/AWEdacity Media Group, NCL strives to deliver cultural, artistic, and special niche entertainment events throughout the year to boost local commerce - generating increased traffic for area hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and hospitality vendors. These initiatives position Sackets Harbor as a cultural destination, contributing to seasonal tourism while reinforcing its reputation as a hub for the arts and creative innovation.NCL is a partnership of two lifelong friends from Brooklyn, Mike Ricca and Bruno Derlin, who have worked together for 25 years on live events like film and comedy festivals, content creation, TV commercials and podcasts. Their latest endeavor, the North Country Comedy Festival, was produced in less than 100 days and was attended by over 500 people.With the North Country Comedy Festival already under its belt with an incredibly successful run from October 23 to 25, 2025, at the Sackets Harbor Ballroom, and the North Country Film Festival in the works for Summer 2026 dates to be announced, NCL has already set forth its mission to make these North Country events household names through strategic partnerships, vendor booths, and sponsorships, creating new opportunities for local businesses and artisans to engage with visitors, ensuring that the positive impact extends beyond the dates of the events.

Frostbite Rocknite

Film Festival

Comedy Festival

Frostbite Rocknite

Two North Country bands that each have their own individual brand of hard rock bring a perfect level of energy to the Historic Sackets Harbor Ballroom. Co-headlining for an unforgettable experience are Chasing Skyward Lights and Undefeated. NBC TV Watertown will be taping the event and airing it as a Christmas Fundraiser to benefit the Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County twice during the Christmas holiday.On December 20, 2025, the ballroom doors will open at 6:00 pm for a pre-show acoustic performance from the electric duo of Kasidee and Bill, who will be performing cover songs spanning over six decades of popular music.This Christmas Season is gonna be one to remember, starting December 20th!GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY BY AUTOMATICALLY VISITING OUR SISTER WEBSITE AT visionfest.com BY SIMPLY CLICKING THE "GET TICKETS" BUTTON BELOW:

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North Country Film Festival

The North Country Film Festival is an exciting annual in-person film event held in the eclectic and historic Sackets Harbor Ballroom in Sackets Harbor, NY. Curated and produced by the Domani Vision Film Society—the creative force behind fifteen years of Visionfest: The Other Festival in NYC and the long-running Visionfest Screenwriting Competition, now in its 25th year—this four-night celebration of independent cinema focuses on innovative short films made in the United States.Over the course of three evenings, festivalgoers will experience a diverse and expertly curated selection of independent short subject films. On the fourth night, the festival concludes with a festive awards ceremony and after-party gala, celebrating the creativity, craft, and contributions of participating artists. Additionally, the festival welcomes short script submissions, with the top script receiving a live professional reading before a live audience during the festival.The mission of the North Country Film Festival is to promote and showcase exceptional U.S.-based short films and screenplays while cultivating a deeper community appreciation for independent cinema. The festival strives to create a competitive yet warm and celebratory forum that champions artistic vision and fosters connection between storytellers and audiences.Backed by an organizing team of seasoned filmmakers, screenwriters, and curators, North Country Film Festival offers a passion-driven platform that reflects the authenticity, insight, and dedication of its creators.

North Country Comedy Festival

Three of the best live stand up comics of their generation ushered in the First Annual North Country Comedy Festival, Oct 23, 24, 25 at the Sackets Harbor Ballroom with outstanding results.Each night, these 30-year veteran comics from The Comedy Store in Hollywood and the The Comic Strip Live in NYC delivered shows with the power of an arena event in an intimate night club setting.Audiences came and loved the acts, vowing to return future North Country Live events, and gifting the festival with multiplel "standing room only" performancesGoodfellos Restaurant was an official sponsor and ticket location with NBC Watertown and Tunes 92.5 pitching in as official media sponsors.North Country Live expresses its gratitude to the comics who participated; to everyone who helped in making the event the staggering success that it was; and to the entire Sackets Harbor community, who supported this unforgettable maiden adventure.From left to right: Mark Riccadonna, Ashley Gutermuth, and Steve Simeone (click on images for more)

Left to Right: Bruno Derlin, Steve Simeone, Ashley Gutermuth, Mike Ricca, Mark RiccadonnaThe five came together to produce the North Country Comedy Festival, which was achieved in just under 100 days, running for three nights, and attended by over 500 people.Check out the gallery below for some highlights from the three nights: